Measuring device



Oct. 8, 1935. E 2,016,581

MEASURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 21, 1933 s Sheets-Sheei 1 ell-A iiiml W ATTORNEYS K. SIEG MEASURING DEVICE Oct. 8, 1935.

Filed Feb. 21, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1935. K. s E 2,016,581

MEASURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 21, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Karl 57a! ATTORNEYS I Y x B Hm m u 9.621 W895 EN u WM W m. w K. m m m f i q v Q L mm & mm l @%E% a R \N a! NIL! Oct. 8, 1935. $|EG 2,016,581

MEASURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 21, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR I; sta BY ATTORNEYS Get. 8, 1935. Y K. SIEG 2,016,581

MEASURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 21, 1953 '5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BY Kai! A??? a 7 4 M ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 8, 1935 PATENT OFFICE MEASURING DEVICE Karl Sieg, Philadelphia, Pa., asslg'nor to Samuel M. Langston 00., Camden, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 21, 1933, Serial No. 657,777

12 Claims.

Rolls of paper for many purposes are sold as containing a given number of linear feet of paper. A properly calibrated counter operated by a rotatable member driven at a speed corresponding 5. to the speed of travel of the paper in a winder, does not correctly register the length of the wound paper in/case the paper breaks or the end of the sheet is reached, because the winder ordinarily cannot be stopped instantly when such break 10 occurs or such end is reached, and the counter will continue to operate after the supply to the roll stops.

One object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device which accurately regis- 16 ters the length of paper wound upon a roll, and which automatically stops registering when the continuity of the paper in the winder is broken.

As an important feature of the present invention, the counter is automatically disconnected 20 from its source of power when the continuity of the paper is broken, as for instance when the end of the paper is reached or when the paper is accidentally broken.

As another important feature, means are pro- 25 vided for stopping the rotatable member the instant it is disengaged from its drive. For that purpose, a brake is provided which acts instantly and. automatically to stop the further rotation of said rotatable member when the continuity of 30 the paper is broken.

More specifically, the invention includes a counter wheel engaging the paper so as to be rotated thereby, and operatively connected to the counter. This counter wheel is so mounted that 35 it may be automatically and instantly bodily moved out of contact with the paper when it is desired to stop the counter.

A brake is also provided together with means for causing it to act on the counter at all times when the counter wheel is disconnected from its source of power, in this case the paper.

As one important feature, I provide an electric eye directed across the path of travel of the paper, and causing the actuation of power disconnecting and brake applying mechanisms when the supply of paper is interrupted.

As another alternative feature, I provide a feeler, finger or shoe engaging the paper and me- 50 chanically doing what might be done by the electric eye.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown for the'purposes of illustration, two forms embodying the present invention. In these draw- 55 ings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of measuring device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the formshown in Fig.

1, with the parts thereof in operative measuring position. 6

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the brake.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a part cooperating with the brake.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to a part of Fig. 2, but on a larger scale, and showing the device in oper ating position.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line l-! of Fig. 3, and showing the measuring device in inoperative position. Y

Fig. 8 is an end view showing another form of measuring device embodying my invention.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8. v

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the form of measuring device shown in Fig. 8.

I Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line HH of Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

In a paper winding machine of the type shown, the paper I2 to be slit or trimmed and rewound, passes in contact with idler rollers I3 and M, between a pair of cutters l5 and I6, and then to the roll l9 being formed. This roll is supported on and rotated by a pair of winding drums l1 and 20. Since the roll I9 is rotated by the drums l1 and 20, the drum 20 will have a peripheral speed substantially equal to the speed at which the paper I2 is traveling, and its surface adjacent to the run of paper between the idlers l3 and M will move in the same direction as the paper. Other details of such a machine are shown in my prior Patent No. 1,827,802, issued October 20, 1931.

The means for determining the length of paper wound includes a freely rotatable member driven by the winder at a peripheral speed corresponding to the linear speed of travel of the paper, and advantageously takes the form of a counter wheel 22. To prevent error due to slipping of the paper in the machine, it is important, but not in all cases essential, that this wheel be driven by the paper on its way to the roll Is. It is shown as disposed close to the drum 20, the paper l2 being threaded between said wheel and said drum, so that said wheel is frictionally driven by the moving paper and the rotating drum 20, and the wheel may be pressed against the paper as firmly as desired without altering the course of the paper.

A counter 23 is operated by the wheel 22, said wheel being mounted on a shaft 24 (see Fig. 3) which carries a pinion 25 meshing with a gear 26 fixed to one end of a shaft 21, the other end of the latter being operatively connected to the shaft of the counter 23.

In the specific form shown in Figs. 1 to '7, the means provided for automatically stopping the operation of the counter 23 when the continuity of the paper in the winder is broken, includes, as an important feature of the present invention, electrically operated means for moving the wheel away from the paper, and for applying a brake automatically for stopping the rotation of the wheel 22.

In the specific form shown, the brake comprises a brake drum 30 connected to the shaft 24 and cooperating with a brake shoe 3| (Fig. 4) mounted on a pin 32 journaled on one arm 34 of a bell crank lever 33. The hub of this brake lever is loosely mounted on a sleeve 36' supported by a fixed bracket 31 secured to the frame structure of the winding machine. The free end of the other arm 35 is pivotally connected to a link 29 connected to the armature of a solenoid 28. The lever 33 has a counterweight 38 which serves to normally urge the brake shoe 3| away from the periphery of the brake drum 30.

As an important feature of the present invention, there is provided a photoelectric device 39 which serves to open or close the electric circuit of the solenoid 28 in response to changes of illumination of the device effected by breaks in the continuity of the paper. The device 39 is disposed on one side of the line of travel of the paper I2, and is of standard type having a light responsive or photoelectric tube exposed through the opening of an eyeor tube 4| axially extending transversely to the line of travel of the paper between the counter wheel 22 and the drum 39. on the other side of the paper |2 is a source of light 42 adapted to project light through a tube 43 extending in axial alinement with the tube 4|. The details of this photoelectric device, the wiring circuits thereof, etc., form no portion of my invention and may be of any standard type.

The light 42 is continuously turned on, but during normal paper winding operation, the paper is interposed in the path of light rays, so that the photoelectric device is not actuated during this operation. When the paper breaks or the end thereof has reached the winding machine, the light rays from the source 42 will be projected into the electric eye or other photoelectric device, to actuate the same and operate a relay (not shown) in the circuit of the solenoid windings, thereby causing the energization of the solenoid. The link 29 is then forced downwardly and moves the brake lever 33 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6, into position to apply the brake shoe 3| firmly against the periphery of the brake drum 3|] as shown in Fig. '7. By this operation, the further rotation of the wheel 22 is stopped.

The means for automatically stopping the operation of the counter 23 when the continuity of the paper in the winder is broken, also includes as an important feature of the present invention, means for automatically moving the wheel 22 away from its driving means. This includes a movable support 46 which advantageously serves as a gear casing for the gears 25 and 26, and which provides journals for the shaft 24. This Disposed casing 46 .is movable about an axis spaced from the axis of rotation of the counter wheel 22, and is also spaced from the axis of the shaft 32, so that after the brake shoe 3| has been applied to the brake drum 36, further movement of the brakc shoe, under the influence of the solenoid 28, will cause movement of the gear casing 46 about its axis of rotation and corresponding movement of the counter wheel 22 away from the path of travel of the paper. As shown, the casing 46 is secured to one end of the sleeve 36.

Means are provided for yieldably pressing the wheel 22 against the paper and the drum 20 during normal winding operations, and to provide lost motion between the drum and its brake shoe. This is shown as including a collar 48 clamped to the sleeve 36 and urged in a clockwise direction as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, by yieldable means such as a coil spring 49 loosely encircling the sleeve 36, and having one end thereof engaging a stud pin 50 on the collar 48, and the other end connected to a stud pin 5| extending from some stationary part such as an end plate 52 on the bracket 31. The coil spring 49 serves not only to urge the counter wheel 22 against the paper during normal winding operations, but also serves to yieldably press said counter wheel against the brake shoe 3| in braking position, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the braking.

The end plate 52 is advantageously rotatably adjustable in respect to the bracket 31 to permit alteration of. the tension of the spring 49. As shown in Fig. 1, the plate 52 has segmental slots 53 which receive bolts 54 threaded into the fixed bracket 31. The plate 52 also serves to hold one of the bearing elements which permits easy oscillation of the sleeve 36 in the bracket 31, as shown in Fig. 3.

The brake lever 33 is prevented from falling back too far under the influence of the counter weight 38 when the circuit of the solenoid 28 is broken. For that purpose, the brake lever 33 is provided with a lug 56 which extends between two spaced lugs 51 and 58 on the collar 48. The ex-- tent to which the brake lever 33 may fall back into inoperative position may be controlled by an adjusting screw 59 passing through the lug 58. With the brake lever 33 in inoperative position shown in Fig. 6, the lug 56 thereon will engage the end of the adjusting screw 59, and since the collar 46 is held in position by the engagement of the counter wheel 22 with the paper, the brake lever 33 will be prevented from moving away from the shoe, except to a limited distance. By means of this construction, the counter weight 38 serves not only to return the brake lever 33 into inoperative position after the solenoid has been deenergized, but also assists the coil spring 49 in yieldably pressing the wheel 22 against the paper.

The collar 48 and the spring 49 serve not only to yieldably press the counter wheel 22 against the paper, but also to effect quick automatic return of the counter wheel 22 into measuring positiomupon deenergization of the solenoid 28.

In Figs. 8 to 12, there is shown mechanically operated means for effecting the automatic braking of the measuring wheel and the movement of said wheel from measuring position. In this construction,- there is provided a counter wheel 66 which is frictionally driven by the traveling paper, and which operates a counter 6|.

The power transmission means between the wheel 60 and the counter 6| includes a pinion 62 mounted on the shaft of the wheel 60 and meshing with a gear 63 connected to one end of a shaft 64. The other end of the shaft carries a crank 65 connected by a link 66 to an arm 61 on the counter fil. As the counter wheel 60 is rotated, the link is reciprocated and the arm 61 is oscillated to operate the counter 6|.

As an important feature ofthe present invention, as embodied in the form shown in Figs. 8 to 12, the operation of the brake and the bodily movement of the counter wheel 60 is controlled by the movement of a feeler or shoe I0 yieldably urged into contact with the moving paper at a point along a free run of the paper.- This feeler 10 may be spring-pressed into engagement with the paper during normal winding operation or may be heavy enough, as shown in the drawings, to be gravitated into engagement with said paper. It is connected to a rod 'Il pivotally supported near its lower end at a point horizontally spaced from the normal position of said feeler to permit \it to lean against or rest on the paper, as shown in Fig. 8.

The extent to which the feeler l0 presses against the paper II during measuring operation may be adjusted by means of a counterweight 10a slidable along a rod 10b connected to the rod "H, and fixed in any selective position along said rod 10b by any suitable means as for instance a set screw.

Connected to the rod H is a bracket 12 which pivotally supports a brake shoe 13 in close pr'oximity to the periphery of the wheel 60. This brake shoe (3 is normally kept away from the periphery of the counter wheel 60 during measuring operations by the engagement of the feeler 10 with the surface of the paper. When the paper breaks or the end thereof passes the idler l3, the rod II will swing in a clockwise direction under the influence of said feeler as seen in Fig. 8, thereby causing the brake shoe 13 to instantly engage the counter wheel GI] and stop it.

For moving-the counter wheel 60 away from the moving paper after the continuity of the paper has been broken, the shaft of the counter wheel 60 is journaled in a member 15 which is bodily movable about an axis eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel 60. The member 15 is advantageously in the form of a casing enclosing the gears 62 and 63, and is supported near the end of a fixed sleeve 16, so as to be rotatable about the axis of said sleeve. This sleeve 15 en closes the shaft 64 and is supported in a fixed bracket 11 connectedto the frame structure of the winding machine.

Means are provided for rotating the casing 15 about the axis of the sleeve 16 upon movement of the feeler H1 in a clockwise direction. For that purpose, there is provided a pivot shaft 18 journaled at the end of a fixed arm I9 connected to the sleeve 16. The rod II is connected near its lower end to said pivot shaft 18 so that when the paper fails to support the feeler 10 in the position shown in Fig. 8, said shaft will be rotated in a clockwise direction. This movement of the shaft 18 is transmitted to the casing 15 to rotate said casing about the sleeve I6, and move the counter wheel 60 away from the paper. For that purpose, there is fixed to the shaft 18 an arm 80, the outer end of which carries a shoe 8| disposed between a pair of spaced lugs 82 extending from the casing 15 so that the clockwise movement of said casing with respect to the sleeve 16 causes corresponding movement of the counter wheel 60 away from the path of movement of the paper. A similar pair of lugs may be provided on the other side of the casing 15 to permit the use of the device in either a right or left hand position.

By means 01 the construction shown in Figs. 8 to 12, when the paper breaks, the shoe falls forward and in doing so moves the counter or measuring wheel away, and moves the brake toward 5 said wheel. The rod 1| will be moved in a clockwise direction, causing the casing 15 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and the counter wheel 60 to move away from the path of travel of the paper. At the same time, the brake shoe 13 moves toward the periphery of the counter wheel 60. The counter wheel 60 will travel a very short distance before the brake shoe 13 is applied to the wheel 60.

Means are provided for efiecting the proper adjustment of the shoe I0 against the paper. For that purpose, there is connected to the pivot shaft 18 a member 83 which may comprise part of the rod H or constitute a separate member, and which is provided with a segmental slot 84. 20 Passing through this slot 84 is a bolt 85 carried by a collar 86 secured to the shaft I8. Thus the rod 1| may be locked to the shaft at the proper angle, so that when the wheel engages the paper, the wheel will also engage the paper with the 25 proper pressure.

It must be understood that as far as the broader aspects ofthe invention are concerned, the counter may be disengaged from operation by any suitable means other than those herein shown, 30 when the continuity of the paper in the winder is broken.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-,-

, (V A device for measuring the length of a paper s eet delivered to a winder, including a freely rotatable counter wheel, a member supporting said counter wheel and rotatable about an axis eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of said 40 counter wheel, a braking mechanism including a brake shoe, and means automatically operable when the continuity of the sheet is broken in said winder, for moving the brake shoe into braking position to hold said counter wheel against rota- 45 tion, and for moving said counter wheel about the axis of rotation of said member.

2. A paper measuring device including a counter wheel, means for yieldably urging said counter wheel into contact with the paper to 50 frictionally rotate said wheel at a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of travel of said paper, a counter operable by said counter wheel, and means for automatically moving said counter wheel away from the path of travel of said ma- 55 terial when the continuity of the paper near said counter wheel has been broken.

3. A device for measuring the length of a sheet of continuously moving paper which is being wound up, including a counter wheel, means for 60 yieldably urging said counter wheel towards the periphery of a drum which aids in supporting the roll and which serves to rotate said roll to effect winding operation, said wheel being in contact with the paper to frictionally drive said wheel 65 at a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of travel of said paper, a counter operated by said counter wheel, and means automatically operable when the continuity of the paper near said counter wheel has been broken, for braking said 70 counter wheel against further rotation, and for moving said wheel away from the path of travel of said paper.

4. A device for measuring sheet material while it is being delivered to a winder to form a roll, in- 75 cluding a freely rotatable counter wheel, means for supporting said counter wheel, and including a casing rotatable about an axis eccentric with respect to the axis 01 rotation of said counter wheel, a counter, power transmission means between said counter and said wheel for operating said counter from said wheel, a portion of said transmission means being enclosed in said casing, and means for moving said counter wheel about the axis of rotation of said casing and away from the path of the paper when the continuity of the counter wheel from the sheet when the continuity of the sheet near said counter wheel has been interrupted.

6. A device for measuring the length of a paper sheet delivered to a winder, including a counter, a shaft for actuating said counter, a bracket mounted to oscillate about the axis of said shaft, a second shaft carried by said bracket, gearing connecting said shafts, a counter wheel, and a brake drum carried by said second shaft, means for yieldingly pressing said counter wheel against the sheet to be measured, a brake shoe adjacent to said brake drum, and means for pressing said brake shoe against said brake drum to stop the latter and to push said counter wheel away from said shaft when the continuity of said sheet is interrupted.

7. A device for measuring the length of a paper sheet delivered to a winder, including a counter, a shaft for actuating said counter, a bracket mounted to oscillate about the axis of said shaft,

a second shaft carried by said bracket, gearing connecting said shafts, a counter wheel carried by said second shaft, a weight normally tending to swing said bracket in one direction to press said counter wheel against the sheet, and a lever for swinging said bracket in the opposite direction when the continuity of the sheet is interrupted.

8. A device for measuring the length of a continuously advancing sheet, including a pivoted bracket, a shaft carried by said bracket and parallel to but spaced from the pivotal center of said bracket, a counter wheel carried by said shaft and adapted to engage with the sheet, a bell crank lever pivoted to oscillate about the pivotal center of said bracketnmd a brake shoe carried by one end of said lever and adapted to stop the rotation of said counter wheel and thereafter to push the counter wheel away from the sheet upon the 5 swinging of said lever.

9. A device for measuring the length or a continuously advancin sheet, including a tubular support, a shaft ex nding through said support,

a bracket mounted to oscillate on said support, a lever mounted to oscillate on said support, a counter wheel journaled on said bracket, and means carried by said lever for stopping the counter wheel and for pushing the counter wheel away from the path of the sheet upon the swinging of said lever.

10. A device for measuring the length or a continuously advancing sheet, including a counter wheel adapted to Irictionally engage with the sheet and be rotated thereby, a brake shoe, and means for moving said brake shoe to first stop the counter wheel and thereafter move the counter wheel away from the path of the sheet.

11. A device for measuring sheet material while it is being delivered to a winder to form a roll, including a freely rotatable counter wheel adapted to engage with and be rotated by said sheet material, a member movable about an axis eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of said counter wheel and carrying said counter wheel, a counter mounted independently of said member, power transmission means between said counter and said wheel and extending through said first mentioned axis for operating said counter from said. wheel,

and means for moving said counter wheel about said first mentioned axis and away from the path of the paper when the continuity of the paper is interrupted.

12. An apparatus for measiu'ing the length of a paper sheet which is to be wound into a roll, in- 40 eluding a pair of drums which support the roll of paper as it is being wound and serve to rotate said roll to eflect the winding operation while permitting the axis of the roll to rise as the diameter increases, a counter wheel, means for yieldingly 5 pressing said counter wheel toward one of said drums and against the portion of the moving layer of paper which is supported by and in contact with said drum to frictionally drive said wheel at a peripheral speed equal to the linear speed of travel of the paper, a counter operated by said counter wheel, and means automatically operable when the continuity of the paper near said counter wheel has been broken, for moving said counter wheel away from said drum to stop the rotation of said counter. a

- KARL SIEG. 

